Cryotherapy compression system

Abstract

In one example, a therapy system is provided that includes an inner layer and an outer layer including first and second portions and disposed outside of the inner layer. A therapeutic device, such as a cold pack for example, is provided that is configured to be positioned inside the inner layer. The therapy system also includes an adjustable tightening mechanism connected to the first and second portions of the outer layer and operable to change a position of one of the first and second portions relative to the other of the first and second portions so as to adjust a magnitude of a compressive force exerted by the outer layer on an extremity of a user when the extremity is positioned within an opening defined by the inner layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A therapy system, comprising:
 an inner layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an outer layer whose overall length is adjustable, the outer layer including first and second portions that are not part of, but are attached to, the inner layer, wherein an end of the first portion is completely separable from an end of the second portion so as to define a separation that takes the form of a gap in a material of the outer layer and wherein the gap is spanned by a spanning material, and wherein the outer layer includes a first free end and second free end that are releasably attachable to each other; 
 a therapeutic device removably positioned so that the inner surface of the inner layer is disposed between the therapeutic device and an extremity of a user when the extremity is positioned in an opening defined by the inner layer; and 
 an adjustable and manually operable tightening mechanism comprising a lace connected to the first and second portions of the outer layer and the lace is engaged with a mechanical lace tensioner that is operable to change, by either drawing the first and second portions toward each other or by allowing the first and second portions to move away from each other, a magnitude of a compressive force exerted by the outer layer on the extremity when the extremity is positioned within the opening defined by the inner layer, wherein the tightening mechanism is further operable to translate part of one of the first and second portions of the outer layer relative to the inner layer so as to vary a width of the gap. 
 
     
     
       2. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic device comprises one of a cold pack, a heat pack, or a water circulation pad. 
     
     
       3. The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable and manually operable tightening mechanism further comprises:
 a first lace retainer attached to the first portion of the outer layer, wherein the lace is routed through the first lace retainer; 
 a second lace retainer attached to the second portion of the outer layer, wherein the lace is routed through the second lace retainer; and 
 the mechanical lace tensioner is configured to apply tension to the lace and to retract the lace, so as to move one of the lace retainers relative to the other of the lace retainers. 
 
     
     
       4. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a foam pad disposed between the inner layer and the therapeutic device, wherein the foam pad has first and second portions with different respective thicknesses. 
     
     
       5. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spanning material comprises either a portion of the inner layer, or a portion of the outer layer. 
     
     
       6. The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable and manually operable tightening mechanism maintains the first and second portions of the outer layer in position relative to each other after a position of one of the first and second portions relative to the other of the first and second portions has been changed. 
     
     
       7. The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable and manually operable tightening mechanism facilitates thermal communication between the therapeutic device and the extremity of the user when the extremity is positioned within the opening defined by the inner layer. 
     
     
       8. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the therapy system is configured to fit one or more of an ankle-foot combination of a user, a shoulder of a user, a wrist of a user, an elbow of a user, a calf of a user, a foot-to-hip of a user, an ankle-to-hip of a user, or a hip of a user. 
     
     
       9. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic device is a single cold pack having a length such that the cold pack encloses a majority of the extremity of the user when the extremity is positioned in the opening defined by the inner layer. 
     
     
       10. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic device is a single cold pack that extends along a majority of a length of the inner layer. 
     
     
       11. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable and manually operable tightening mechanism is configured, and operable, to apply different levels of compression at different respective locations on the extremity of the user when the extremity is positioned in the opening defined by the inner layer. 
     
     
       12. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first free end and the second free end are releasably attachable to each other by way of a securing mechanism configured and arranged to enable releasable attachment of the first portion to the second portion by overlapping of the first portion with the second portion. 
     
     
       13. The therapy system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the therapy device is a cold pack that comprises one of a reusable self-contained chemical cold compress, a thermodynamic gel, a bag configured to hold a volume of liquid and/or solid, or a portion of a cold therapy water circulation system.